As the years pass by, people get more and more involved in finding ways on how to stay healthy and keep themselves in shape. More and more people, especially the women, become more concerned with how they look and how they present themselves to the public. Some use cheap and over-the-counter products, others have themselves checked by doctors and have these experts hand them the right products for proper healthcare. What we know is that these products promise us all the good things we can ever imagine, but how sure are we that these products could really give us the results we want?
Paraffinum Liquidum, also called Mineral Oil, is one substance that can be found in most beauty products available in the market – moisturizers, deodorants, shampoos, shaving creams and cleansers just to name a few. It is a petroleum by-product which contains liquid hydrocarbons and used as lubricant or emollient in most beauty products. It is a cheap substance which makes manufacturers and beauty products producers use mineral oil as an ingredient as it reduces cost. That being said, mineral oil promises to keep our skin moisturized and healthy. However, there are a number of studies which show the many negative effects of mineral oil to a person. Let us look into the myths about Paraffinum Liquidum and see for ourselves if these are true or false.
Myth # 1: Mineral oil actually dries the skin, contrary to the belief that it aids in moisturizing it. Studies show that mineral oil actually blocks the pores and does not let moisture inside the skin cells. They say that mineral oil somehow works as a barrier which prevents sweat from coming out of the skin. Without the proper moisture that the skin should be getting, people can experience dried and less moisturized skin.
Myth # 2: Mineral oil causes acne and other skin problems and diseases. Mineral oil stays at the surface of the skin thus clogging the pores. This prevents the skin from letting air into it and letting the necessary vitamins and minerals from entering the skin. Furthermore, skin problems and diseases can promote pre-mature ageing in the long run, as the skin does not get the proper care it deserves.
Myth # 3: Mineral oil is full of carcinogens. We know that mineral oil is a by-product of petroleum and contains liquid hydrocarbons. Moreover, any mineral oil derivative can somehow be contaminated with cancer-causing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH). This strengthens their belief that mineral oil can be harmful to the skin.
While all these myths make us believe that mineral oil is not what it promises to be, other experts and certain studies prove these myths wrong. They say that mineral oil used in cosmetics and other beauty products are highly refined and purified, so there is no need to worry about the carcinogens that it may contain. Also, it is true that mineral oil stays on the skin surface but it does not clog the pores and block the vitamins and minerals that could enter the skin. In fact, mineral oil is effective to demulsify dirt trapped in the pores, and an excellent cleanser for dry skin.
Whether these myths are true or not, it is still up to us to determine its effects on us. Experts and researchers may have different study results, so it is still best for us to do the research ourselves.
